McColloch Family
McColloch Homestead
[Wheeling Intelligencer, July 30, 1941 - sub. by K. Torp]
Major John McColloch started building his house prior to 1821, the year of his death. It is located about midway between West Liberty and the mouth of Short Creek. It may be reached by taking Route 88 from the Pike district to West Liberty, then turning off on the road to Short Creek and following for about four miles. This house's history has been that of several old families.
Pre-eminent among those were the McCollochs of whom there are over 300 local descendants. For information regarding this one of Wheeling's first families the writer is indebted to Mr. Henry F. B. McLain of 1 Simpson Ave., Elm Grove. Mr. McLain was born in Wheeling, Nov. 26, 1860 and is the son of Robert Baird McLain and L.A. Fisher, the former being a native of Warren County, O., and the latter of New York City. In 1897 he married Sarah, daughter of Abram McColloch of Ohio County and a great grand-daughter of the original Abram McColloch who first settled in this section along with three brothers.
The exploits of Major Sam, the famous old Indian fighter and border scout, who on the morning of September 2, 1777, made the notable leap from the crest of Wheeling Hill are known. The other brothers were John, George and Abram, who came here in pre-Revolutionary days.
As a young man Abram was shot and seriously wounded by Indians and was only saved by a book in his pocket.
Samuel McColloch died not as might be deduced from a letter one of the Zane brothers wrote, somewhere in eastern Ohio, but at Girty Point, a rock promontory near Fort Van Meter. On the morning of July 30, 1782, Maj. Samuel and Maj. John set out on a scouting trip. Warned by some premonition, Samuel returned to say good-bye to Mary Mitchell, his bride of six months. They made their rounds and were returning to Fort Van Meter when shots rang out and Samuel fell mortally wounded. Seeing an Indian making for the body of his brother with a scalping knife, John wheeled his horse and shot the Indian and fled to the Fort. The next day, he, with a party of men returned and brought back the mutilated body of Samuel whose heart had been cut out.
The McCollochs settled on Short Creek about 1770. Also, there were two sisters, one of whom, Elizabeth, married Ebenezer Zane. All were the children of John McColloch of Berkeley County, VA.
John McColloch built the first mill in this territory, the remains of which are still near the house on Mill Hill. Both he and Samuel devoted most of their time in service to their country.
In 1779 Samuel was elected to the legislature from Ohio County. He was in Brodhead's campaign and had charge of Fort Van Meter during the Revolution.
After his death John fell heir tot he estate and later married Mary Buckey and raised eleven children. Abram married Ailcy Boggs and his family was the same size. Most of the local members are descended from Abram.
Maj. John died in 1821, age 67. The house passed form his heirs to the Snodgrass family where it continued until 1867 when it passed to the Delaplaines. In 1877 it was conveyed by Louis S. Delaplaine to a relative, Florence Delaplaine. In 1880 she conveyed to a Wm. V. Hoge trustee. From Hoge it passed to Samuel J. and Edith Boyd and in 1901 Edgar E. Boyd, attorney and sole heir of Samuel J. sold it to Robert Frazier, farmer of Steel's Ridge, O. The present owner ifs Roy P., son of Robert Frazier.
The Delaplaine family is one of Wheeling's oldest. Louis S. Was born at Wilmington, Del. He settled in the old days and founded the wholesale dry goods business which his son carried on. During Jackson's administration, he was Postmaster of this District. He was an Episcopalian.
He died in 1878, and his wife, Ann (McCoy) Delaplaine of Carlisle, Pa. died in 1892. They had four children: Robert M., father of the second Louis S., Mary, Elizabeth and Louis.
Robert M. died in 1894 and his wife in 1920. They had three children: Wm., Louis S. and Mary Hilda. His wife was Mary (Burke) Delaplaine.